Job Discussion Forums

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I'd like to start a thread to hear about extracurricular activites abroad...some of things we do to supplement our incomes as EFL teachers, administrators, DOSes, etc.

I've heard from a few people who have come through my neck of the woods...some interesting stories.

One Canadian woman I know working as a teacher in southern Mexico used to work in Japan. She taught English part time, but had found a lucrative side gig as a 'greeter' or 'hostess' of sorts in a Japanese club. She was paid to simply be available for conversation in English to club patrons, who she described as being Yakuza (is that the right spelling? Japanese Mofia right?). She says there was no arrangement as far as prostitution is concerned at least on her part, but also said that other foreign women working there most certainly engaged in further activities.

I've also met some people in Acapulco working both as EFL teachers and bartenders, during the heavy tourist season.

Cardinal Synn · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 586

I used to put my dulcit tones onto tape in a recording studio for listening sections of text books. Paid a lot more than teaching too! A good little earner and it didn't interfere with my teaching schedule.
I miss that job. It was a real laugh, doing silly accents and daft dialogues.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Interesting query, Guy. I'm not surprised at all about your friend's hostess bar job. Modelling is also something people do here. I've had a lot of people tell me I should have my daughter model here in Japan. She's 3 years old with long blonde hair and blue eyes, but I haven't really considrered it as I want her to stay a child.

I wrote a children's book, my wife has illustrated children's books and has done a lot of voice recording for books. I've also edited some technical manuals. All quite interesting and lucrative and perhaps best of all, breaks up the monotony of the day.

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

Guy, not actually an answer to your question here, more a question about your thread title...

In North America, is the word 'alternate' used in the same sense as 'alternative'?

Here in England 'alternate' would be used only in the sense of 'one after the other'.

Always looking for differences in British English and American English to teach in class (or in case a student learned English in the States and i don't understand what they're saying Very Happy

)

Apologies for going off thread,

Matt

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Modelling...forgot about that.

My own story...I was once offered an audition with a small studio that produces infomercials for late-night Mexican TV. I turned them down, but have never stopped wondering what if...?

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

As for the real topic of this thread, i'm setting up my own business in Buenos Aires connected in no way whatsoever to teaching. Looking forward to working for myself and doing exactly what i want to do and how i want to do it...

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

It's a secret as i'll be the first in Buenos Aires, if not all of Argentina and i don't want anyone knowing 'til it's all set up...which will be in a few months once i've convinced the Argentine government that i'll be a model 'citizen'....oh...

Cardinal Synn · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 586

Ahh, so it's not cocaine dealing then, Matt.
Another interesting word difference between British and American English is, Orientate - In British English we might say, "My style is student orientated" (just an example - crappy, but an example) whereas Americans would say " My style is student oriented". The verb (Brit) being - to orientate. "Orient" to me, is an old fashioned name for the Far East. I'm basing this purely on what I've heard people saying as opposed to checking out dictionaries, so do correct me if I'm wrong.
And PLEASE - This is not an attack on Americans!!!!!
I hope this isn't followed by cries of " your language sucks!"
"No, yours does, blah blah blah!" ad vomitum.

Alitas · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 187 Location: Maine

Cardinal Synn, your kitty needs a crack pipe. No, just kidding. It kills me that people in Britain call erasers, rubbers. I mean, don't you know that's a prophylactic? Smile

I'm just being silly.

Anyway, as for alternate jobs abroad....when I lived in Venezuela I was an interpreter at a trade fair. It was a swell gig until some swarthy types asked if I would also be their, ahem, escort (I was in high school!) They explained that in India, it was the CUSTOM for intepreters to sleep with the people they were interpreting for. Ah, yeah, ok.

When I spent an extended period of time in the Dominican Republic, I translated a series of educational materials used for marriage counseling. It didn't help as I am now a divorcee....

Now, my next stint abroad...currently a mere six months away...I'd like to open a lingerie cart at the local mall. Seriously.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I'd met a few Americans selling time share in Acapulco...none were there doing it legally, and just as well. That is an unforgiving job.

Here in Mexico City, I've met quite a few foreigners running their own businesses, though we never got around to whether it was legal or not. Cubans, Russians, Lebanese, more Koreans than you can shake a stick at, and a good number of Argentines in the neighborhood where I live. Most are probably past the 5 year mark and claim permament residency.